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Spring 2020 Funded by a grant from The Pokagon Fund River Valley School District Parent Survey Results
Spring 2020
Funded by a grant from The Pokagon Fund
River Valley School District
Parent Survey Results
SCHOOL PERCEPTIONS
Our mission is to help educational leaders gather,organize and use data to make strategic decisions.
• Founded in 2002 to provide independent andunbiased research
• Conducted over 10,000 parent, staff, student, andcommunity surveys for school improvement
• Helped more than 600 districts navigate the strategicplanning and referendum planning process
Survey Summary
• The Parent Survey was conducted in lateApril – early May of 2020.
• All parents were sent an email invitation totake the survey online. Each emailcontained a unique survey access code thatcould only be used once.
• Total responses = 103
Respondent Information
Which schools do your children attend?
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 75%
Chikaming
Three Oaks
River Valley Middle/HighSchool
30%
33%
63%
Grade level of your child(ren):
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
6%
11%
8%
10%
7%
18%
8%9%
7%
13%
15% 15%
12%
19%
One or more of my childrenare identified as:
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Does not apply Student receivingspecial education
services
Student receivingTitle 1 services
English LanguageLearner (ELL)
Student having504
accommodations
46%
20%15% 12%
8%
Does your child(ren) currently participatein any school-sponsored sports and/or
extra-curricular activities?
59%
41%
Yes
No
I identify my ethnicity as:
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Asian/Pacific Islander
Black
Multiracial/Ethnic
Native American
Hispanic
No response
White
0%
0%
0%
1%
3%
5%
92%
COVID-19
Overall, how is your family dealing with thechallenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Great Good Fair Poor
13%
70%
14%
3%
Please indicate your level of agreement.Strongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n)
The school has been able to support my child(ren)’s needs sincethe stay-at-home order was implemented.
90% 4.06 (98)
Our family has been able to manage our stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.
91% 3.98 (101)
Our family has been able to maintain a healthy work-school-lifebalance during the COVID-19 outbreak.
83% 3.82 (101)
If applicable, have you experiencedany obstacles with technology
needed for school work?
26%
68%
6%
Yes
No
Not applicable
School Feedback
ChikamingStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 1/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
My child has a positive relationship with at least one adult atschool.
100% 4.76 (25) 92
I believe the school staff inspires my child's best efforts. 96% 4.58 (24) 91
Teachers personalize instruction to meet my child's needs. 88% 4.28 (25) 89
The amount of homework given to my child is appropriate. 92% 4.28 (25) 87
I receive enough information to understand my child’s progress. 92% 4.28 (25) 84
I feel comfortable sharing ideas with staff. 92% 4.20 (25) 82
I feel my opinions are taken into consideration when it comes toschool policy decisions.
85% 4.00 (20) 82
Even though I may not always agree with decisions, the principal isdoing what it takes to make our school successful.
96% 4.40 (25) 81
My school provides appropriate opportunities for parentalinvolvement.
100% 4.46 (24) 79
A climate of openness and trust exists between schooladministration and parents.
96% 4.36 (25) 76
ChikamingStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 2/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
I am satisfied with the communication that comes from theschool.
92% 4.24 (25) 69
Parent/teacher conferences provide productive communication. 96% 4.40 (25) 66
School facilities are clean and well-kept. 100% 4.50 (24) 64
I am comfortable contacting the principal. 92% 4.32 (25) 62
My child feels safe at school. 96% 4.40 (25) 60
I'm proud of our school. 96% 4.44 (25) 58
I am satisfied with how our school responds to reported incidentsof bullying.
86% 4.00 (22) 54
There is a healthy culture at our school. 92% 4.28 (25) 51
I have at least one school staff member I feel comfortablecontacting when I have an idea or concern.
96% 4.44 (25) 47
The school has a culture of high expectations. 92% 4.04 (24) 46
ChikamingStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 3/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
I would recommend my child's school to a friend. 95% 4.30 (23) 37
I feel welcomed at my child's school. 96% 4.36 (25) 36
The school employs high-quality teachers. 88% 4.20 (25) 22
My child enjoys going to school. 88% 4.16 (25) 21
School staff treat everyone with dignity and respect. 88% 4.20 (25) 19
My child is adequately prepared for the next grade level orcollege/career/life after high school.
83% 3.96 (24) 19
When my child has a problem at school, he/she knows how to gethelp.
80% 3.88 (25) 19
Technology is used effectively to support teaching and learning. 87% 3.95 (22) 7
I feel my culture and beliefs are represented in my child’s school. 96% 4.35 (23) N/A
If my child breaks a rule at school, they are treated fairly. 96% 4.24 (25) N/A
Academic expectations atChikaming are:
4%
84%
4% 8%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The overall use of technology atChikaming is:
4%
72%
4%
20%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The amount of communication fromChikaming is:
8%
84%
4% 4%
Too much
Just right
Too little
Don't know
Three OaksStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 1/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
I receive enough information to understand my child’s progress. 97% 4.33 (30) 91
Even though I may not always agree with decisions, the principal isdoing what it takes to make our school successful.
96% 4.41 (27) 82
I am comfortable contacting the principal. 93% 4.38 (29) 69
When my child has a problem at school, he/she knows how to gethelp.
90% 4.13 (30) 63
I'm proud of our school. 97% 4.45 (29) 62
I feel comfortable sharing ideas with staff. 89% 4.10 (29) 62
School facilities are clean and well-kept. 96% 4.47 (30) 56
I feel my opinions are taken into consideration when it comes toschool policy decisions.
82% 3.79 (28) 53
My school provides appropriate opportunities for parentalinvolvement.
100% 4.34 (29) 51
Teachers personalize instruction to meet my child's needs. 86% 3.96 (28) 46
Three OaksStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 2/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
My child feels safe at school. 93% 4.31 (29) 37
I am satisfied with the communication that comes from theschool.
86% 4.03 (30) 35
I would recommend my child's school to a friend. 89% 4.22 (27) 29
Parent/teacher conferences provide productive communication. 94% 4.20 (30) 27
There is a healthy culture at our school. 90% 4.07 (29) 26
School staff treat everyone with dignity and respect. 90% 4.24 (29) 25
The school employs high-quality teachers. 89% 4.21 (28) 22
The school has a culture of high expectations. 83% 3.79 (29) 22
The amount of homework given to my child is appropriate. 87% 3.83 (30) 18
I have at least one school staff member I feel comfortablecontacting when I have an idea or concern.
93% 4.28 (29) 16
Three OaksStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 3/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
A climate of openness and trust exists between schooladministration and parents.
82% 3.89 (28) 15
I feel welcomed at my child's school. 87% 4.20 (30) 14
I am satisfied with how our school responds to reported incidentsof bullying.
74% 3.52 (27) 14
My child has a positive relationship with at least one adult atschool.
97% 4.45 (29) 11
I believe the school staff inspires my child's best efforts. 86% 4.11 (28) 9
My child enjoys going to school. 83% 3.97 (30) 8
My child is adequately prepared for the next grade level orcollege/career/life after high school.
72% 3.69 (29) 6
Technology is used effectively to support teaching and learning. 83% 3.77 (30) 3
If my child breaks a rule at school, they are treated fairly. 93% 4.07 (28) N/A
I feel my culture and beliefs are represented in my child’s school. 90% 4.03 (30) N/A
Academic expectations atThree Oaks are:
7%
66%
17%
10%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The overall use of technology atThree Oaks is:
10%
77%
13%
0%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The amount of communication fromThree Oaks is:
7%
73%
13%7%
Too much
Just right
Too little
Don't know
River Valley Middle/HighStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 1/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
I believe the school staff inspires my child's best efforts. 93% 4.16 (55) 88
I feel comfortable sharing ideas with staff. 88% 3.92 (50) 80
Parent/teacher conferences provide productive communication. 92% 4.15 (53) 79
I feel my opinions are taken into consideration when it comes toschool policy decisions.
76% 3.61 (46) 79
I receive enough information to understand my child’s progress. 93% 3.98 (54) 78
School staff treat everyone with dignity and respect. 90% 4.12 (51) 77
My school provides appropriate opportunities for parentalinvolvement.
90% 4.02 (53) 77
The amount of homework given to my child is appropriate. 89% 3.88 (56) 77
Teachers personalize instruction to meet my child's needs. 77% 3.61 (51) 75
Even though I may not always agree with decisions, the principal isdoing what it takes to make our school successful.
91% 4.16 (55) 74
River Valley Middle/HighStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 2/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
I am comfortable contacting the principal. 90% 4.09 (54) 72
My child is adequately prepared for the next grade level orcollege/career/life after high school.
85% 3.87 (54) 72
I am satisfied with the communication that comes from theschool.
86% 3.89 (56) 71
I'm proud of our school. 89% 4.13 (56) 70
I would recommend my child's school to a friend. 88% 4.04 (55) 69
I have at least one school staff member I feel comfortablecontacting when I have an idea or concern.
91% 4.17 (54) 68
When my child has a problem at school, he/she knows how to gethelp.
88% 3.95 (57) 67
There is a healthy culture at our school. 84% 3.82 (56) 66
A climate of openness and trust exists between schooladministration and parents.
84% 3.82 (56) 65
My child enjoys going to school. 80% 3.79 (56) 60
River Valley Middle/HighStrongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
(Slide 3/3)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
My child has a positive relationship with at least one adult atschool.
95% 4.38 (55) 59
I am satisfied with how our school responds to reported incidentsof bullying.
74% 3.54 (50) 55
I feel welcomed at my child's school. 91% 4.09 (58) 54
The school has a culture of high expectations. 80% 3.67 (54) 48
My child feels safe at school. 90% 3.95 (56) 46
The school employs high-quality teachers. 82% 3.80 (55) 40
School facilities are clean and well-kept. 93% 4.09 (57) 27
Technology is used effectively to support teaching and learning. 82% 3.74 (54) 14
I feel my culture and beliefs are represented in my child’s school. 88% 3.92 (52) N/A
If my child breaks a rule at school, they are treated fairly. 89% 3.90 (49) N/A
Academic expectations atRiver Valley Middle/High are:
3%
69%
21%
7%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The overall use of technology atRiver Valley Middle/High is:
3%
67%
14%
16%
Too high
Just right
Too low
Don't know
The amount of communication from RiverValley Middle/High is:
0%
77%
19%4%
Too much
Just right
Too little
Don't know
Communication
How would you like to receiveschool information?
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
School Board agendas and minutes
PTO meetings
School Board meetings
Harbor Country News
Electronic classroom newsletters
Teacher webpages
Open House/Back to School Night
District/school website
District/school newsletters
Parent/Teacher conferences
Text Messaging
Automatic phone notifications
Email from teachers/administrators
3%
6%
6%
9%
9%
17%
26%
28%
34%
44%
44%
53%
54%
60%
63%
96%
Overall, how would you rate the District'scommunication over the last year?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very effective Somewhateffective
Not veryeffective
Very ineffective No opinion
55%
30%
6% 7%2%
How often do you visitthe District’s website?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Daily Weekly Monthly A couple timesof per year
Never
3%
27%
43%
18%
9%
Why do you visit theschool/District’s website?
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Order school apparel
Other
To view District policies, bylaws and guidelines
Review School Board agendas/minutes
To view the lunch menu
Access parent portal to check grades, student schedules,etc.
To view sports/co-curricular schedules
Access staff contact information
Search for upcoming events/view calendar
5%
6%
13%
17%
24%
37%
43%
59%
87%
How effective is the District’swebsite in providing timely
and meaningful information?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very effective Somewhateffective
Not veryeffective
Very ineffective No opinion
34%
45%
3% 2%
16%
Do you follow the School District on anyof the following forms of social media?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Facebook Other/None Twitter
70%
24%
6%
Achieving Excellence
Please tell us how well we are doing in thefollowing areas:
Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Index % Great/Good Average (n) Percentile
Meeting all students’ social and emotional needs 86% 3.12 (81) 99
Preparing students for life after high school 79% 2.93 (76) 89
Spending tax dollars wisely 83% 2.97 (69) 82
Providing a welcoming and safe learning environment 92% 3.26 (89) 79
Keeping the public informed 84% 3.13 (87) 79
Building pride in our community 90% 3.29 (86) 74
Maintaining school facilities 91% 3.19 (86) 39
Embracing the diversity of our student population 84% 3.14 (80) N/A
Delivering a high-quality educational experience 84% 3.07 (88) N/A
Using technology to enhance the learning experience 84% 3.03 (80) N/A
Recruiting and retaining high-quality staff 79% 3.00 (86) N/A
Programs and Services
How important is this item to the success ofour students? (Slide 1/3)
Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)
Item Average
Programming for struggling students/at-risk of not graduating 3.74
Critical thinking & problem solving 3.74
Reading/Literature/Vocabulary 3.70
Computer and technology skills 3.68
Preparing students for college and career 3.68
Programming for students with disabilities 3.68
Writing/Grammar 3.64
College advising 3.60
School counseling 3.58
How important is this item to the success ofour students? (Slide 2/3)
Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)
Item Average
Mental health and wellness services for students/family 3.58
Math 3.57
Career advising 3.54
Science 3.53
Programming for English Language Learners (ELL) 3.45
Social Studies 3.43
Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship 3.38
Health education 3.34
How important is this item to the success ofour students? (Slide 3/3)
Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)
Item Average
Physical education 3.30
Extracurricular clubs and activities 3.23
Music 3.18
World languages 3.15
Advanced Placement (AP)/honors classes 3.12
Athletics 3.10
Art 3.09
Culinary Arts 3.05
How are we doing? (Slide 1/3)Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Average
Physical education 3.32
Art 3.21
Science 3.18
Social Studies 3.17
Athletics 3.12
Mental health and wellness services for students/family 3.12
Reading/Literature/Vocabulary 3.12
School counseling 3.09
Music 3.08
How are we doing? (Slide 2/3)Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Average
Advanced Placement (AP)/honors classes 3.07
Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship 3.05
Health education 3.04
Math 3.01
Programming for English Language Learners (ELL) 3.00
Computer and technology skills 3.00
Writing/Grammar 2.97
Extracurricular clubs and activities 2.89
How are we doing? (Slide 3/3)Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Average
Programming for students with disabilities 2.86
Critical thinking & problem solving 2.82
World languages 2.77
Culinary Arts 2.75
Preparing students for college and career 2.71
Programming for struggling students/at-risk of not graduating 2.71
College advising 2.65
Career advising 2.63
Gap Analysis (Slide 1/3)Importance: Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)Performance: Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Importance Performance Gap
Art 3.09 3.21 0.12
Athletics 3.10 3.12 0.02
Physical education 3.30 3.32 0.02
Advanced Placement (AP)/honors classes 3.12 3.07 -0.05
Music 3.18 3.08 -0.10
Social Studies 3.43 3.17 -0.26
Culinary Arts 3.05 2.75 -0.30
Health education 3.34 3.04 -0.30
Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship 3.38 3.05 -0.33
Gap Analysis (Slide 2/3)Importance: Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)Performance: Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Importance Performance Gap
Extracurricular clubs and activities 3.23 2.89 -0.34
Science 3.53 3.18 -0.35
World languages 3.15 2.77 -0.38
Programming for English Language Learners (ELL) 3.45 3.00 -0.45
Mental health and wellness services forstudents/family
3.58 3.12 -0.46
School counseling 3.58 3.09 -0.49
Math 3.57 3.01 -0.56
Reading/Literature/Vocabulary 3.70 3.12 -0.58
Gap Analysis (Slide 3/3)Importance: Very important (4), Important (3), Somewhat important (2), Not important (1)Performance: Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Importance Performance Gap
Writing/Grammar 3.64 2.97 -0.67
Computer and technology skills 3.68 3.00 -0.68
Programming for students with disabilities 3.68 2.86 -0.82
Career advising 3.54 2.63 -0.91
Critical thinking & problem solving 3.74 2.82 -0.92
College advising 3.60 2.65 -0.95
Preparing students for college and career 3.68 2.71 -0.97
Programming for struggling students/at-risk of notgraduating
3.74 2.71 -1.03
Life Skills
How valuable is the following to the success ofour students?
Very valuable (4), Valuable (3), Somewhat valuable (2), Not valuable (1)
Item Average
Communication skills 3.82
Critical thinking and problem solving 3.74
Computer and technology skills 3.71
Personal Finance 3.70
Time management 3.65
Teamwork/Group problem solving 3.57
Leadership skills 3.55
Develop creativity and imagination 3.53
How are we doing?Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Average
Communication skills 3.11
Develop creativity and imagination 3.07
Computer and technology skills 3.03
Leadership skills 3.02
Teamwork/Group problem solving 3.00
Critical thinking and problem solving 2.97
Time management 2.75
Personal Finance 2.73
Gap AnalysisImportance: Very valuable (4), Valuable (3), Somewhat valuable (2), Not valuable (1)Performance: Great (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1)
Item Importance Performance Gap
Develop creativity and imagination 3.53 3.07 -0.46
Leadership skills 3.55 3.02 -0.53
Teamwork/Group problem solving 3.57 3.00 -0.57
Computer and technology skills 3.71 3.03 -0.68
Communication skills 3.82 3.11 -0.71
Critical thinking and problem solving 3.74 2.97 -0.77
Time management 3.65 2.75 -0.90
Personal Finance 3.70 2.73 -0.97
Future Initiatives
Please check up to four of the initiatives where youbelieve the District should focus its efforts over the
next five years to improve student learning:Item % Yes
Help students with career planning/life after high school 54%
Create more hands-on/project-based learning activities 41%
Expand the opportunity to earn 2- & 4-year college credit while still in high school 41%
Prepare students for careers/workforce 39%
Ensure staff compensation is competitive for the area 37%
Keep technology up to date 37%
Develop new and innovative programs to improve student learning 32%
Offer online courses to expand course offerings and better meet students' schedules 28%
Provide support services when students have difficulty learning 26%
Develop alternative education programs to help students at risk of not graduating 13%
Provide training/development opportunities to enhance the skills of staff 13%
Increase school safety and security 11%
Increase communications with our parents and community 9%
Increase the number of students attending post-secondary education 7%
Increase co-curricular opportunities 3%
Overall District Satisfaction
Overall, how satisfied are you with theSchool District?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Very Satisfied Satisfied Not Satisfied VeryUnsatisfied
Don't Know
39%
53%
7%0% 1%
Please indicate your level of agreement for each item.Strongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
Item% Strongly
agree/Agree
Average (n) Percentile
The District has effective financial management. 89% 4.11 (53) 85
I am satisfied with the communication that comes fromthe District.
92% 4.12 (76) 84
The District forms effective partnerships with businessesand community organizations.
91% 4.08 (59) 83
The District is heading in the right direction. 90% 4.04 (73) 82
The District is run effectively. 89% 4.03 (73) 81
There are 6 indexes of parent engagement. The Parent
Engagement Survey has key questions that feed each one, thus,
producing an index score. The score is the average of the
responses from these key questions.
School PerceptionsParent Engagement Indexes
6 Indexes of Parent Engagement1. Culture of Educational Excellence:
a. Academic Expectationsb. Rigorc. High Standardsd. Relevance
2. Effective Teaching:a. Effective instructional techniquesb. Individual attention to studentsc. Appropriate use of homeworkd. Collaborative/great teachers
3. Safe and Healthy Schools:a. Safe, supportive and healthy learning environment (no bullying)b. Appropriate balance between school stress and life balancec. Facilitiesd. Diversity
4. Leadership:a. Clear vision/missionb. Effective communicationc. Good planningd. Well organized
5. Sense of Community:a. Pride/unityb. Strong student moralec. Opportunities for families prove input/feedbackd. Family Involvement
6. Equity:a. Families and students treated with respectb. All values and beliefs are acceptedc. Needed resources provided to all studentsd. Experiences and opportunities to grow provided to all students
How do your index scores compare to other parentsurveys administered by School Perceptions?
Strongly agree (5), Agree (4), Disagree (2), Strongly disagree (1)
Index Average (n) Comparison Percentile
Leadership 4.07 (111) 3.88 79
Effective teaching 3.99 (111) 3.88 74
Sense of Community 4.23 (113) 4.16 66
Culture of Educational Excellence 4.00 (107) 3.97 59
Equity 4.14 (108) 4.17 52
Safe and Healthy Schools 4.30 (111) 4.29 38
Thank you!
Parent Surveys - Staff Surveys - Student Surveys - Community Surveyswww.schoolperceptions.com
(262) 644-4300
